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Friday, January 16, 2009

Clarity: my two cents on the media war

Yom shishi, 20 Tevet 5769.

A couple of years ago, I was privileged to be on a long drive with a very dear rebbetzin, who doesn't mince words. In the course of our conversation, I was trying to make sense of the inability of decent, normal people to see the truth about the Arab-Israeli conflict. How could nice people keep rationalizing the behavior of suicide terrorists, who were blowing themselves up in pizza parlors and cafes and buses filled with civilians? I made some comment, trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, about how they were undoubtedly confused by the biased reporting in the media.

The rebbetzin focused very intently on the road as she drove.

"If you think it is ever excusable to blow up babies and grandmothers, for any reason, to advance any political cause, you are not confused. You are evil."

Wisdom means being able to cut through the "nonsense," directly to the truth. To put it nicely.

Thanks, Rebbetzin. I get it: Don't capitulate.

Dear terrorists: We Israelis have tried to appease the media and our Western friends for too long. It really is time for you to be stopped.

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About Me

I am anxious for everyone to get along, starting with the Jews. Scratch that. Starting with religious Jews. Hmmmm... probably still a lot to strive for. How about religious Jews in Israel? In Gush Etzion? In my yishuv? How about let's just start with my family. Okay, guys. As Abba says, "World peace starts at this table." Let's get our act together, and bring Moshiach.

In small ways, every day, I try to to do my part to rectify the error in judgment of my zaydies, the meraglim. "See these big grapes? We can make really big wine!"